Post-office-box label



(No Model-) 'B. IRWIN.

. POST OFFICE BOX LABEL. No. 265,420. Patented Oct. 3, 1882.

FFICE.

BRECKENRIDGE IRWIN, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

POST-OFFlCE-BOX LABEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 265,420, dated October 3, 1882,

Application filed May 29, wee. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BRECKENRIDGE IRWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Decatur, in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Post-Office-Box Labels, of which which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in labels for use on post office boxes for the convenience of postmasters and their subordinates, to aid them in distributing mail-matter in either call or look boxes; and it consists in a label-blank cut from paper gummed on one side, and secured to the lower part or partition of each box bearing the name (either written or printed) of the person to whom the box is rented. The manner of applying and its general form will be more clearly understood by reference to the drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 represents a broken series of letter-boxes with labels secured to them in the manner and for the purpose set forth. Fig.2 represents a label in blank form just as it is out from the sheet of gum med paper. Fig. 3 is an end View of the blank after being bent in form to fit onto the edge of the box.

Similarletters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents a broken series of letter-boxes, and B the label. a is the part upon which the name is written or printed of the person renting the box, while it represents the lower part, which extends underneath the bottom partof the box, and is secured thereto by the gum substance on its back. The notches e 0, cut

herein shown is cut from flat gummed paper of a suitable thickness to admit of writing upon with pen, pencil, or the use of type, and placed on the market flat, as in this form the .name can be more conveniently written, after which the blank is bent longitudinally, the bend being determined by the notches in the ends, and a straight bend therebyinsured. It is obvious that this may be aided by creasing the blank on a line with the notches, but to do this would add to its expense, and is not necessary.

Heretot'ore strips of paper have been stuck onto the edge of letter-boxes with the name of the renter written thereon, but much trouble has been experienced in their being torn off in removing letters and other mail-matter from the boxes. It is experience of this kind that has suggested the within-describedinvention. The edge of the partition to which the label is secured being quite narrow, it is difficult to get a strip on straight, while in the present improvement a portion of the blank is bent at right angles and extends underneath the partition, and thereby renders it difiicult to get the label on crooked. The time being necessarily limited for the distribution and delivery of mail-matter, a label that can be readily attached to the boxes and cause no further trouble would seem to be a very important matter.

I am aware that a gummed label is not new; so also is the application of a label to the edge of a letter-box bearing the name of the person renting the box known to be old. I therefore do not claim such a combination, broadly; but

What I believe to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

As an improved article of manufacture, a blank for labeling post office boxes on their innerends, cut from gum med paper, with rounded ends and notches e e, and having a right-angle bend on a line with said notches, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing-described device as my invention I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 27th day of May, A. D. 1882.

BRECKENRIDGE IRWIN. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

G. L. VVAGGONER, S. F. GREER. 

